The petition opposing Jarange’s proposed agitation was filed by Nilesh Dahanukar. A bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Adwait Sethna questioned how an order could be passed solely on the basis of previous experience when the protesters had not yet arrived in Mumbai.
The bench made it clear that preventive restrictions could not be imposed merely because of fears based on past experiences or anticipated circumstances. The court said that if a law-and-order situation arises, the concerned authorities should take appropriate action.
During the hearing, Maharashtra Advocate General Milind Sathe informed the court that Ganeshotsav would begin on September 14 and that the government had not granted permission for the proposed agitation. He also submitted that a march could not be taken out without permission.
Despite the issue of permission, Maratha reservation agitation leader Manoj Jarange-Patil on Friday said he was determined to proceed towards Mumbai whether permission was granted or denied. He said the date for marching towards Mumbai, the route and the future course of the agitation would be decided at a meeting of the Maratha community scheduled for Saturday, September 12, at 12 noon at Antarwali Sarati.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his position in Nagpur on the issue, saying that the general public wants the Ganeshotsav celebrations to take place without any disruption. Referring to Jarange’s statement, Fadnavis said that anyone who respects Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj would never create an obstacle during the Ganpati festival.
The High Court’s refusal to impose preventive restrictions leaves the proposed agitation to be addressed through existing legal and administrative measures if a law-and-order issue arises, while the next course of the Maratha reservation movement is expected to be determined at the September 12 meeting in Antarwali Sarati.
About The Author
Comment List